A CHARITY craft shop is being forced to give up its home in Lymington.

The Oakhaven Craft Shop in St Thomas Street will be closing its doors on Saturday, May 27.

The popular store, which raises funds for Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, has been trading at the location for more than four years.

However, the landlord of the unit has decided to lease out the retail space and the flat that sits above it.

Gary Taylor, head of retail and trading at Oakhaven Hospice, said: “We were given the shop rent-free by the landlord, who has been fantastic.

“But it’s time for them to move on, and they’ve got plans for it.”

Now, Oakhaven is desperately seeking a new unit elsewhere in Lymington which it can move its craft shop to.

Gary said: “It wasn’t our intention to close. We definitely want to have a craft shop in town, we just need to find the right location.

“We’re actively looking. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. We know people love the shop and we want to come back as soon as possible.”

Oakhaven runs several other charity shops, including in Highcliffe and New Milton, and elsewhere in Lymington.

On Tuesday, April 25, it opened a brand new fashion store in Lymington high street.

However, the store set for closure is the charity's only craft-centred shop.

Gary said: “It’s really unique. We get support from people all around the country, and it’s come a bit of a staple for crafters.

“We wouldn’t have imagined that happening in the beginning, but it’s because of the support of the landlord and the amazing team in the shop.

“We help the crafting community, and support Oakhaven at the same time.”

The news of the closure was announced on Oakhaven’s website. The charity wrote: “It's sad times for us at Oakhaven Craft Shop as the end of our trading in the existing shop comes to an end.

"We would like to thank the owners of the building for their support over the last four-and-a-half years, we could not have done it without you.

"We also want to see you again when we find a suitable location for a craft shop in Lymington, and if you have any recommendations let us know as we can't wait to return."